Sheboygan Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.6 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
722 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.62
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Sheboygan, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sheboygan | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -78% |
| Washing Machine | 5 yrs | 12 yrs | -58% |
| Water Heater | 6.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -58% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sheboygan compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sheboygan, Wisconsin | 232 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 155.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| West Bend, Wisconsin | 260.5 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Mequon, Wisconsin | 238 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Glendale, Wisconsin | 198.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Sheboygan compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sheboygan | 232 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sheboygan's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the Sheboygan County seat on Lake Michigan — the 'Bratwurst Capital of the World,' a major Lake Michigan port city historically known for its German-American heritage, sausage and meatpacking industry, and Kohler Company (Kohler plumbing fixtures — one of the most famous Wisconsin corporations, headquartered just south of Sheboygan) — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via the City of Sheboygan Water Utilities. Water hardness in Sheboygan measures 232 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Sheboygan's very hard supply — among the hardest Lake Michigan supplies in Wisconsin — reflects the Sheboygan area Lake Michigan intake zone and the city's aged industrial-era distribution infrastructure. Sheboygan's Lake Michigan intake is situated at the Niagara Escarpment shoreline — the Silurian Niagara Dolomite crops out directly at the Sheboygan shoreline and the shallow nearshore Lake Michigan bottom. Niagara Dolomite limestone dissolution contributes calcareous minerals directly to the Sheboygan nearshore Lake Michigan intake water. Sheboygan's distribution infrastructure — a major 19th century Great Lakes industrial city with aged cast-iron mains — further concentrates the supply to produce the very hard 232 mg/L.
At 232 mg/L, Sheboygan residents face significant hard water challenges. Scale deposits form rapidly on all fixtures and tile — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is essential maintenance. City of Sheboygan Water Utilities consistently delivers water meeting all Wisconsin DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from Lake Michigan via the City of Sheboygan Water Utilities — the Sheboygan County Lake Michigan (Silurian Niagara Dolomite Niagara Escarpment shoreline at the Sheboygan River mouth); very hard supply at 232 mg/L — reflecting the Sheboygan Lake Michigan intake zone's very hard supply and the Sheboygan industrial city distribution infrastructure.